The Republican journal., 1887-08-18
The Constitutional Centennial Celebra-
tiOr,

To TIE EDITOR OF THE .IoUKNAL: For
the purpose of answering several communira-
tons upon the above subject, and especially to
call the attention of the people of the State of
Maine to this important event soon to take
place, | ask brief space in your columns.
The Constitution of the United States was
adopted by the convention, and was transmit
ted to the old Congress by George Washington,
its President September 18th. 1857, and the one
hundrcdth anniversary of this important event
it is proposed to celebrate in the city of Phila-
dcphia. in September next, from the 10Th to
the 18th, inclusive. Public attention was call
ell quite conspicuouSly to this occasion last
year. by the convention of the Governors of
the thirteen original States, who met to con-
slider the question. and as result commission
ers We're appointed to meet i'll convention at
Philadelphia to map out Il programme and
elect the officers necessary to carry il into
effect. This convention met December 2nd,
1856, and elected Hon. John A. Kas>on, of
Iowa. President, and Hampton l.. Carson,
dertakc here to give only brief abstract of the
programme.
The 18th of September Is assigned for a pro-
cessional, industrial display, its object being to
illustrate, in contrast, the customs, domestic
characteristics, commerce, arts. implements of
industry, means of transportation. Nc., of
1887 and 1887, with view, by object lessons,
of demonstrating the changes and national
progress made in the first century of our con-
stitutional existence. The display is to be en-
tirey professional, and will be mounted upon
cars prepared for the purpose, and accOmpan-
led by various civic organizations. In the
evening. the Governor of PENNSYLVANIA will
hold public reception in honor of the Cover
norS of the States and Territories present
The 10th of September is designed for MILF
fary 10 raIiD nf{ {1n in nf ftn
several States and Territories present Effort
will be made to show, by contrast, the differ
ence between military arms, equipments and
drill in 1877 and 1887. The cooperation of the
Regular Army and Navy has been assured. In
the evening will occur public reception in
honor of the President of the United States.
The 18th of September, the third and last day
of the celebration. will be devoted to the spec
ia services of commcmcration. and the Presi-
dent of the United States will preside An
Grafton will be pronounced by Mr.. Justice Mil
ler of the Supreme Court of the United States.
There will also be a poem, national hymns, vo-
cal and Instrumental music, and other enter
tainments appropriate to the occasion. 1t is
hoped that the occasion will give brilliant tes-
timony to the universal attachment of all
classes of our people to the great Charter of
American Liberty, to which we owe the un-
paralleled growth and development of the
several States and the nation. Many of the
State Legislatures have made appropriations
v
resented in the great industrial and military
displays of the 18th and 18TH The Legislature
of Massachusetts set apart a large sum for this
purpose, and the grand old Bay State which
then included Maine, so conspicuous i'll the
war for Independence, and SO ably represented
in the Convention which founded the Con-
stituton of the United States. will be APP
propriatcly represented in this celebration.
The Legislature of this State made no pro-
vision for part in this great Industrial and
Military Display; nor for representation of
any kind, but Gov Bodwcll is doing what he
can to rectify the mistake, and though under
the circumstances Names part must be hum
bic, yet the State will not 90 entirely by de-
fault. The Governor and Staff, and probably
the Executive Council, will be present, and Il
portion of the Maine militia, and it is hoped
that large number of Maine citizens will at
tend. An industrial exhibit from this State i'll
wolves more serious question. If the State is
to he represented at all it must be by voluntary
contributions. 1t will be borne in mind that
the display is not to be very general, and is to
he entirely professional. The marshal of the
occasion, Col. A. LoudOn Snow,len, announces
that. as the object in view is to present Il con-
trast between Il hundred years ago and now, a
reproduction of the same article or illustration
is not desirable, and suggests that individuals
and firms engaged in the same pursuit, unite
together and make combined exhibit on as
suggestive and comprehensive scale as possi
BILE. He further says: "The demonstration
Will not be permitted 10 ucSenefate into mere
medium for advertising. Where proper advcr-
tsing results from the display of haudwork or
enterprise, it will bc encouraged, but not 9TH
crwisc." His circular closes with the follow
ing: "ApplicatiOn for place in the process
sion, stating the character of the display In
tended to be made. should be sent to this office
address, Col. A. Loulon Snowden, Chairman
Of Committee, and Marshal, City Hall, Phila-
delphia, Pa.) at the earliest date possible, in
order that a proper classification may be
made"
Whether any industrial exhibit shall be made
by Maine is question to be determined by our
manufacturers. In this statement, have en-
deavored to set forth briefly the character of
the display to be made, and the conditions to
be complied with by exhibitors. Persons de-
string to make exhibits at their own expense,
will address the Marshal, as required in the
preceding paragraph. Efforts will be made for
a reduction of railway fares to those who at
tend, and of freights, If anything is offered for
exhibition, and the results announced through
the press in due season.
WM. B. LApHAM,
Commissioner for Maine.
Augusta, Aug. Sth.
Alfred krupp, the German eunmaker, has
bcqueathed $25O,OOO for the benefit of his en-
l